Indian visa scam: Pak ministry officers held

Karachi: A gang involved in the illegal issuance of Indian visas has been busted in Pakistan.

It also led to the arrests of nine accused - including Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Interior Ministry officers, and passport office personnel- from Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.

An investigation into complaints relating to the issuance of Indian visas by violating rules and regulations led to detection of this gang involved in the scam, The News quoted Interior Ministry sources, as saying.

Later, three FIA officials, one section officer of the Interior Ministry and five personnel of Karachi Saddar Branch Passport Office were arrested.

According to sources, records were also taken into custody during raids at Karachi Foreigners Registration Branch, the FIA’s check post located at the Wagah border and the Karachi Saddar Branch Passport Office.

Interior Minister Rahman Malik has directed the FIA director general to conduct thorough investigations into the scam, and advised him to deal with the culprits sternly.